News Category: Sonke News

The implementation of the Inkanyezi Project continues in the Amathole East District of the Eastern Cape, as well as the Ehlanzeni District of Mpumalanga Provinces. Through this four-year project, Sonke seeks to use a feminist and human rights-based approach to achieve gender equality.

Here are latest highlights of activities taking place in Mpumalanga under this project.

Bushbuckridge HIV Prevention Summit 

The Inkanyezi Project team attended the Bushbuckridge HIV Prevention Summit from the 6^th to the 7^th August 2024. The purpose of which was to review the municipality’s implementation of HIV prevention projects since 2022. Sonke presented on the intersection of HIV/AIDS and Gender Based Violence. In the submission, Sonke recommended the following in accordance with the ALIV[H]E Framework, to help reduce GBVF and HIV transmission:

• Raising awareness of harmful social and gender norms that underpin gender inequality in Social Behavioural Change programmes.
• Research that highlights increased levels of violence against women in their diversity and ways to address this through collaborations.
• Using media to engage religious leaders, political and traditional leadership.
• Organisations working on HIV and violence against women themes to reinforce the values of human rights, sexual and reproductive health and rights, participation, gender equality, safety, evidence-informed responses and respect for diversity.
• Stronger networking and cross-movement building to work on effective interventions to address intersections between HIV and gender-based violence.

Mkhuhlu Community dialogue 

The Inkanyezi project is monitoring a court case of a rape by a local pastor in Mpumalanga. Due to the community’s support of this case, Sonke subsequently received two reported cases of rape to monitor. Against this backdrop, Sonke hosted a community dialogue at the Mkhuhlu township Ward 1 Ma-F, to educate community members about human rights, gender-based violence and services available to them. 

The gathering was a platform for stakeholders to understand some of the challenges faced by the community and to also use Arts as an advocacy tool in addressing GBV, as such the Inkanyezi project partnered with One Sound One team who performed a drama piece on Domestic Violence, Femicide and Homophobia. Among other stakeholders in attendance was Greater rape intervention programme (GRIP), South African Police Services (SAPS), Save the Children South Africa and Wisani Community Project.

Community Action Team members and Young Women Leaders training on Governance and Women’s Leadership

The Inkanyezi project facilitated a three day training on governance and women’s leadership from the 13^th to the 15^th of August 2024. Of the 35 participants in attendance, six were young women leaders serving in political and religious spaces. 

Community Action Teams members who serve at Bushbuckridge local municipality as ward councillors, chairpersons for young people at the church, community health care workers, child and youth care workers and community mobilisers from different organisations, were also in attendance. 

The purpose of the training was to capacitate participants on women’s leadership and governance roles in the community, as well as to provide women with the necessary information to actively participate in transforming their communities.

Outcomes of the Training

Participants acknowledged that the training has helped them to understand their communities better and how lack of services has an impact in women’s lives. They also indicated that decisions are made on their behalf and their voices are not heard because they do not attend and participate in community activities and consultations. Participants emphasised that as a result of this training, they are going to start supporting women in leadership roles so that their needs as women are met. They added that things may be better if gender equality is incorporated into all systems. One participant said, “Teaching our children about gender norms at a young age will assist in addressing gender equality.” Action plans were developed to address community challenges where they will collaborate with community leaders and other stakeholders in addressing their challenges.

“Injury Mortality Surveillance in Mpumalanga: Towards the 2030 Violence Prevention Agenda” Colloquium

On the 21^st of August Sonke participated on the panel discussion about ‘’What is needed for violence prevention: Policy, Capacity and Partners Mobilisation” at the Injury Mortality Surveillance in Mpumalanga: Towards the 2030 Violence Prevention Agenda” Colloquium, in Mpumalanga, as hosted by the University of South Africa and the South African Medical Research Council. 

The gathering focused on the troubling changes in the epidemiological patterns of injury mortality that have emerged in Mpumalanga, where homicide is now the leading contributor to injury mortality. The intention of the meeting was to stimulate efforts to promote an integrated, national violence and injury surveillance system in support of South Africa’s 2020 NDP.

In her presentation, Inkanyezi Project Manager Nomalanga Ngwenya shared that in preventing violence ‘’ there is no one-size-fits-all strategy that works. To do this, we must first identify the people who are at risk and the communities that the victims and survivors are from. Women and girls who identify as LGBTQIA+, women from ethnic minorities, older women, young and teenage girls, women with disabilities, refugees and migrants and vulnerable to GBVF. Once this is understood, we can utilise the socio-ecological model to identify the several areas of which that individual is a part and ascertain what attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs are used in those different spheres to either eradicate or perpetuate GBVF’’.

She emphasised that Sonke in collaboration with the government and civil society forums, has undertaken the various initiatives to address GBVF and promote gender equality through the Inkanyezi project.‘’ Encouraging men to be allies, including women in leadership positions and decision-making processes, adopting transformative feminist methods to address gender inequality, including in the home as well empowering women economically, these are just some of the solutions to GBV prevention’’ she concludes.

On December 12^th, 2023, under the joint auspices of MenEngage Africa and the Sonke Gender Justice to acknowledge the tireless efforts of journalists who report on transformative gender work remarkably. It marked both the vivacious life and media expertise of Khopotso Bodibe, a former widely respected media specialist at Sonke whose remarkable contribution helped train and transform generations of journalists to respect human rights’ and report transformative on gender-related issues. We had the privilege to question the first-place awardee, Suzgo Chitete. Suzgo Chitete is an award-winning Investigative Journalist with over 15 years’ experience in both broadcast and print media. 

He is currently working as an Assistant Bureau Chief (Lilongwe) for privately owned – Nation Publications Limited (NPL). Previously he has worked as a senior reporter for Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and as a field producer, correspondent and fixer for Al Jazeera, BBC and China Global Television Network. 

Suzgo is also a media trainer under the MISA Malawi Training Centre. He is a passionate writer about public finance management, democratic governance and human rights including women empowerment. 

Congratulations on winning the 1^st place winner at the Inaugural MenEngage Africa award, how does it feel? 

It really feels good. It’s a personal commitment to be part of the movement that is working to change the gender narrative. These stories are a product of this commitment. I feel duty bound to make this contribution. It’s a huge incentive to get recognition/award for this contribution. This challenges me to do more. 

What impact do you think such an accolade will have on your career?

It means a lot. It is a push factor for me. Look, this was a regional competition and to scoop the first position means a lot; that our journalism is competitive and also our work is getting the attention of the world. I guess it does not just end with me getting the prize but also that issues raised in the articles have the attention of stakeholders who matter. We do not just have to be proud as a publication that we have scooped the first position, but it means that we have to find creative means of sustaining the momentum to tell a much better story than we have done before. 

The premise of the award ceremony was to acknowledge the work that Journalists are doing to achieve gender equality. Why is it important to use gender transformative approaches in your reporting? 

This helps to change the narrative and inculcate a positive mentality among our audience. There are things we have considered normal in our societies that have led to the gender gap or imbalance in terms of opportunities, where males have ended up wielding too much power. This therefore calls for sensitivity or awareness when reporting gender issues so that no gender is disadvantaged. It also helps for media houses and individual journalists to have a deliberate approach which empowers both genders.

What are some of the challenges you face as a journalist reporting on advocacy issues in your country and how do you overcome them? 

One of the issues is that there are not many women news sources due to power imbalance and therefore one needs patience to develop some. Women are naturally guarded and therefore may not be so willing to grant interviews or provide information hence there is need for strategic engagement to build trust. It is these women’s voices which will motivate others to equally open up. Due to tight deadlines, we have rushed to easy-to-get sources who are mostly males. This calls for editorial policies that are deliberately designed to promote gender and our publication is already doing this. We also have a significant number of females in decision-making positions which has also helped to easily promote a balanced narrative. 

Tell us about how your reporting, based on gender transformative approach, has influenced advocacy work in your community. 

It has in many ways. Some of our stories have led to community participation; demanding action from duty bearers but also influenced policy. I have in mind stories about women not allowed to own land in some parts, this has influenced national dialogue which may potentially impact policy. 

There is also an anti-rights movement on the rise. How do you stay true to the principles of journalism? 

Of course, I am also a member of MenEngage Alliance Malawi/ Gender Equality Now which is a strong support system in reporting gender issues. We have endured name calling simply because we have published stories that sometimes have not gone well with some members of society such as termination of pregnancy and issues to do with sexual minority rights. We cannot stop writing on account of journalism. 

How do you collaborate with CSOs in your community tell their stories 

Being a member of relevant bodies such as Men Engage Alliance this connects me to a wider community of relevant stakeholders. I have also, through this, developed a long source list. These are source of information; both in sharing tips and commentary

What would you like other journalists to learn or adopt going forward with regards to working reporting issues such as GBV and SHRHR?

I would say the fact that issues of GBV and SHRHR are obvious and common shouldn’t stop us from reporting about them. Gender based violence, for example, is rampant and has been reported on. It’s easy to dismiss such stories for familiarity breeds contempt. But I would say we must not tire of reporting about gender injustices. We must think about these stories from multiple perspectives; it has a bearing on the economy and national development. Malawi being a country with more females than males it only makes sense to have a level-playing field for both genders for purposes of national development. We must learn to contextualize these stories when reporting and in doing so these won’t be tired stories. Editors love stories captured within context and so are readers hence Journalists simply have to fully familiarize themselves with issues of gender to report with proper context which captures public interest.

What do you commit to do going forward?

I will remain an advocate for gender justice and will use my space to advance for change. Being a member of the Men Engage Alliance national chapter, I will ensure that we grow the number of Journalists involved in this chapter. I will use this award to encourage others to see value in reporting gender issues. This will be a motivation to others for it sends a strong message that our journalism is competitive. Resources permitting, I will also use my role as a media trainer to popularize gender issues to Journalists, especially community broadcasters. Community broadcasters can equally play a crucial role in changing the narrative since they are close to the people.

Rumbidzai Chidoori recently participated in the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) in New York, representing Sonke Gender Justice and MenEngage Africa. Rumbi takes note of her experience and valuable knowledge she gained from her attendance of the forum from the 11^th to the 22^nd of March. In this reflection, she expands on her personal insights and important takeaways. Chidoori currently serves as the Regional Policy & Advocacy Coordinator at Sonke Gender Justice. She is a feminist and human rights activist with extensive experience in policy and advocacy work in the women’s rights sector at regional, national and international levels. She advocates for the implementation of legal instruments that protect women’s rights, actively engages in campaign work for vulnerable groups, and conducts rights education training for communities at local level. Chidoori has written several submissions on policy matters and has published various articles in various media including peer reviewed journals.

What was it like attending the conference in New York and what was your favourite experience or moment at CSW68? 

 As a feminist and as an advocate, having the opportunity to influence policy and language at that level is very fulfilling. CSW 68 is the premier global women’s rights policy space where women’s rights is   set for all member countries, so I don’t take it lightly; being able to be in that space is a privilege. My favourite moments are being able to interact, network, and engage with various women’s rights activists from all over the world, being able to learn how to do advocacy in different ways, and learning how to engage duty-bearers. 

Do you think the place is welcoming to all young people, in all their diversity?    

I believe so. To a greater extent, young people can be part of the conversations, to influence, to be heard, and to use their agency, although I think more could be done in terms of enabling young people to be involved in the negotiations, which is a space in which even CSOs are not always given access. 

Recently, there has been an upsurge in anti-rights movements and opposition. What are some of the measures that civil society may use to push back? 

Part of the ways in which civil society can be able to push back with regard to opposition is to be better organised to mobilise better collectively, to ensure that we are present in the spaces where women’s rights are engaged and be able to push back, to expand the language and ensure that provisions that support and advance women’s SRHR rights are included in policy documents, and to ensured that duty bearers understand their duty or understand their responsibility and obligation to ensure that women’s access to SRHR is respected and promoted. It is also important to monitor these anti-rights movements and share information with other civil society organisations to ensure that they don’t get co-opted by these groups and to be able to call them out. Some of these actors like to operate in secrecy or behind the scenes, influencing our policymakers negatively. It is important to be transparent and accountable. 

What lessons did you take from the CSW68 

A key takeaway is the importance of working as a collective and the importance of being present in the space to stand guard against those that threaten to take back the gains that we’ve made over the years and being able to expand on those gains as well. We cannot wait 300 years for gender equality; we need to see gender equality in our lifetime. 

How would the experience you’ve gained inform your advocacy work going forward?  

As part of the women’s rights caucus working group On language and advocacy, I will definitely take the experience used in the negotiations of the agreed conclusions to influence policy development at the national level. It is key to remind policymakers of their obligations with respect to women’s rights. 

In your opinion, what are difficulties faced by youth activists in this field? 

I think firstly that being in the room CSW is not an easy space to access, especially when you think about getting visas and travelling to New York, which is very expensive. There’s not always adequate funds for young people to travel to New York. There are so many bottlenecks with regards to access to the space that once you are there, there is restricted access to the negotiation rooms with state parties. 

What topics would you want to see more of at CSW?

I would like to see the expansion of SRHR and CSE, unpaid care, and the care economy, including positive parenting and respect for women’s bodily autonomy. 

Please share any additional comments, thoughts, suggestions for the upcoming CSW68 

I think the venue for CSW needs to change as well, or at least be rotated, so that CSW can also take place in different regions, like Africa, for instance. This is to enable activists, mainly from the global south, to also participate meaningfully in CSW. 

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) concluded its proceedings at the United Nations headquarters in New York on the 22nd of March 2024, after a two week-long session of intense discussions and deliberations. The event brought together representatives from all corners of the world, including government officials, civil society leaders, and advocates for women’s rights. This year the forum was held under the theme “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective”.

Throughout the two weeks, delegates engaged in a range of activities, including high-level panels, interactive dialogues, and side events, all aimed at promoting women’s rights and gender equality. Sonke Gender Justice and MenEngage Africa hosted and participated in several side-events which were focused on ending violence against women and girls, promoting women’s economic empowerment, access to Sexual Reproductive and Health Rights services, increasing women’s participation in decision-making, and ensuring access to quality education and healthcare. The discussions were lively and thought-provoking, with participants sharing their experiences and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities faced by women and girls in their respective countries and regions. Sonke Gender Justice and MenEngage Africa hosted and participated in the following sessions: 

Parental leave and beyond: Care policies and informally employed workers

This event highlighted the viability and implications of care focused policies for formally and informally employed working parents in low and middle-income countries. Influenced by the advocacy of organizations like Sonke Gender Justice and RWAMREC. South Africa and Rwanda have recently improved their parental leave policies. Many workers in Africa are however employed in the informal economy. The State of the World’s Fathers report 2023 provides insights about parents, care and care policies across varied economies in 16 countries, and global findings from the World Policy Center highlights nuances of providing parental leave to workers in informal employment.

Accelerating Gender Equality in Fragile Settings: A Focus on Women and Girls

The event was aimed to tackle the urgent concerns pertaining to gender parity in humanitarian and precarious environments. With a specific focus on the challenges faced by women and girls, to foster dialogue, propose innovative solutions, and catalyse action towards achieving gender parity in these contexts.

Is Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence Real?’

Technology-facilitated gender-based violence is a growing concern nowadays. With the rise of technology, the use of social media and other digital platforms has become a common means of communication for people globally. However, along with the benefits of these technologies come the risks of being exposed to violence, especially gender-based violence. To confront this alarming trend head-on, ABAAD, Equimundo, Rutgers, and Sonke from the Generation G partnership organised an event during this year’s CSW titled ‘Is Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence Real? 

Sonke Gender Justice and Power To Youth Partners share Good Practices at CSW68

Power To You(th) program’s participation at the Commission on the Status of Women 68 featured interactive sessions on community interventions in different countries to promote meaningful youth engagement and participation in gender transformation, gender-inclusive initiatives and human rights with focus on the rights of women and girls 

Follow this link to learn more about the good practices shared at CSW68 by Sonke Gender Justice and Power To You(th) Partners. 

CSW68 also provided an opportunity for Sonke Gender Justice, MenEngage Africa, and partners to share best practices and make several calls to action while also making commitments and pledges towards advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Now that this year’s CSW68 has ended, it leaves government, civil society organisations, corporations, and all other stakeholders with more work, and all stakeholders must step up their efforts towards achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls worldwide.

On March 14, 2024, Sonke Gender Justice, MenEngage Africa, the Government of Norway, and Reach Out NGO Cameroon collaboratively hosted a side event at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women 68 under the theme, “Accelerating Gender Equality in Fragile Settings: A Focus on Women and Girls.” The event aimed to address the crucial issue of gender equality in humanitarian and vulnerable settings.

The event featured a panel of experts from various fields who shared their knowledge and experiences on the topic. The panellists included representatives from international organisations, government officials, and civil society leaders, all of whom were committed to advancing gender equality in fragile settings.

In many fragile settings, women and girls face unique challenges that hinder their ability to achieve equality. These challenges include limited access to education and healthcare, increased risk of violence and exploitation, and lack of economic opportunities. The program sought to highlight these issues and propose new solutions to accelerate action to achieve gender equality in these circumstances.

Sonke Gender Justice’s Co-executive Director Bafana Khumalo and Her Excellency Ms. Lubna Jaffery, the Norwegian Minister of Culture and Equality discussed the urgent need to address gender inequality in fragile settings, emphasising the impact of crises on vulnerable groups such as women, girls, and marginalised communities. They stressed the importance of comprehensive sexual education, access to high-quality sexual and reproductive health services, and the engagement of boys and men in promoting gender equality.

“I know that many of us are pessimistic about what is happening in the world, but let me assure you, another world is possible. That world requires you and me to put your shoulder to the wheel and ensure that we put modalities that will ensure that women don’t have to ask. It is unacceptable that women in this age struggle to find sexual and reproductive health products and commodities when decisions are taken by rooms filled by men who have no clue about sexual and reproductive health and rights needs of women”, said Bafana Khumalo while giving his opening remarks. He further urged participants, particularly men who were in the room, to stand up and be counted “because women cannot afford another 100 years before there’s equality.”

Her Excellency Ms. Lubna Jaffery, the Norwegian Minister of Culture and Equality also shared commitments that were recently reaffirmed in the new action plan for women’s rights and gender equality in Norway’s foreign and development policy, and the government’s national action plan for women, peace and security. “We need to invest in comprehensive sexual education”, said while appreciating the importance of partnerships with civil society organisations.

The discussions went on to tackle the urgent need to address gender-based violence and promote women’s empowerment through education and economic opportunities. The panellists emphasised the importance of engaging men and boys for gender equality, as well as the need to develop policies that are inclusive of all genders.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in fragile settings is a dire situation that has been exacerbated by gender inequity. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the virus in regions that are experiencing instability and humanitarian disasters, such as conflict zones, refugee camps, and areas affected by natural disasters. Furthermore, women and girls in fragile settings are more likely to experience sexual violence and exploitation, which can lead to HIV infection. They may be forced into transactional sex to meet their basic needs or to escape violence, which puts them at increased risk of contracting the virus. The impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls in fragile settings is devastating. They face social stigma, discrimination, and marginalisation, which further exacerbate their vulnerability to the virus. “HIV becomes an indicator for gender inequality in a context where we have high levels of HIV”, said, Anne Githuku-Shongwe, UNAIDS’s Director Regional Support Team for Eastern and Southern Africa 

Due to instabilities women and girls are still faced with the challenge of access to sexual reproductive health rights, the forum emphasised the urgent need for investment in women’s organisations and the importance of keeping girls in school to mitigate the risk of teenage pregnancy and HIV infection. Additionally, the discussion addressed the prevalence of gender-based violence, child marriage, and the lack of support for women’s organizations in humanitarian settings, underscoring the need for increased attention and resources to address these critical issues. 

The event concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to accelerate progress towards gender equality in fragile settings.

The Generation Gender (GenG) programme has been conducting extensive research around the theme of TFGBV, which has resulted in a report titled Decoding Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence, a reality check from seven countries. This study, which will soon be made available to the public, offers a multi-country deep dive that aims at bridging the knowledge gaps that exist around TFGBV in different countries, including Lebanon, Morocco, Rwanda, South Africa, Indonesia, and many others 

Technology-facilitated gender-based violence is a growing concern nowadays. With the rise of technology, the use of social media and other digital platforms has become a common means of communication for people all around the world. However, along with the benefits of these technologies come the risks of being exposed to violence, especially gender-based violence. To confront this alarming trend head-on, ABAAD, Equimundo, Rutgers, and Sonke from the Generation G partnership organised an event during this year’s CSW titled ‘Is Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence Real?

The use of technology has made it easier for perpetrators to commit gender-based violence. Social media platforms, for instance, have become a place where people can easily harass, stalk, or intimidate others, especially women and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

To kick off the session at CSW68, Nina Jane Patel, co-founder, and President of Research & Safety at Kabuni, started off with her insights and own personal experiences with the reality of online violence and challenged the notion that TFGBV isn’t real.

“I realized that I could not underestimate the power of this new technology in our lives. This experience was traumatic, it was violent, and it wasn’t real. Following the public account of my experience, the backlash I received, which included threats and insults, was also very real and very frightening”, Nina Jane Patel, shared during the session.

“We must actively work against the damage that is being done and build a more inclusive and safer online environment. Today, right now, this moment, it is our turn, you and me, to collaborate, to learn from each other, and to act”, she added. 

The prevalence of technology-facilitated gender-based violence is alarming. Studies have shown that women and girls are at a higher risk of being targeted online than men. This type of violence can take many forms, including cyberstalking, revenge porn, and online harassment. Moreover, technology-facilitated gender-based violence can have devastating effects on the victim’s mental health, self-esteem, and overall well-being.

The side-event was also interactive and educational where participants responded to poll quizzes to check the understanding of TFGBV. The delegates also explored legislations that are already in existence in some countries in some spaces, but unfortunately gaps remain. It was noted that the reporting mechanisms have limited effectiveness since reporting is often a disadvantage for the survivors, so it’s underreported, and even when it is reported, unfortunately, follow-up actions are not taken. Abishiag (AbiAbishiag(Abi) Wabwire, project coordinator at the Uganda Association of Women Lawyers (FIDA-U), also shared that Uganda is one of the few countries in Africa that has a law that can be used to try and curb TFGBV, as the women and girls are facing in Uganda. It was enacted in 2010 and amended last year. Unfortunately, the spirit behind this amendment was not to protect women, men, or anybody who is suffering from TFGBV. ‘’Unfortunately, the spirit of this legislation was not to safeguard women, men, or anybody suffering from TFGBV. The law is more to protect political leaders from the backlash they are facing online, not the victims, ‘’ she said. 

During the session, Abi shared some eye-opening examples of women and girls in Uganda who have been victims of TFGBV, or Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence. She highlighted how the legal system has failed these women, leaving them with little to no redressal.

Abi’s examples were both heart-wrenching and infuriating. She spoke of women who had faced online harassment, stalking, and even revenge porn. These women had approached the legal system for help, only to be met with apathy and a lack of understanding. The police, lawyers, and judges they turned to were often ill-equipped to deal with such cases. Some even dismissed the women’s complaints, and blamed them for taking half-naked pictures, although it was shared without their consent. 

Abi’s discussion highlighted the systemic failures that perpetuate TFGBV. She emphasized the need for better legal frameworks and training for law enforcement officials. She also stressed the importance of creating safe spaces for women to speak out and seek help without fear of judgment or retaliation.

This side event underscored the urgent need for a more comprehensive and empathetic approach to tackling TFGBV. As a society, we must work towards creating a culture that values and protects the rights of women, both online and offline. Only then can we hope to eliminate the scourge of TFGBV and ensure that no woman is left to suffer in silence.